The U.S. And Cuba Sign Deal On Commercial Flights

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Could commercial flights to Cuba start flying out of BWI? For the first time in more than five decades, the U.S. and Cuba have agreed to allow roundtrip commercial flights.

And for some businesses, that could be a huge moneymaker.

Meghan McCorkell has more on the new deal.

Those flights could start as early as this fall, and local travel agents are keeping a close eye out.

For the first time in more than 50 years, traveling to Cuba could be as easy as a few hours on a commercial airplane.

"They could drop off their car and they could be, in three hours, they could be in Havana," said Adelan Still, Adelan Travel and Cuba Services.

As tensions ease between the two countries, U.S. and Cuban officials sign a civil aviation accord, allowing roundtrip commercial flights.

"We hope to soon see passenger and cargo airlines providing strong connectivity between our countries," said Anthony Foxx, U.S. Transportation Secretary.

The agreement will allow 110 daily commercial roundtrip flights.

U.S. Airlines will now apply to run those flights, which could potentially include departures from BWI Airport.

For Adelan Still, whose company runs tours to Cuba, commercial flights could be a major game-changer.

"I have a lot of customers. They're calling and they're waiting to travel from BWI," said Still.

Chartered flights to Cuba already started flying out of BWI this fall--and they've gotten a lot of interest.

"To travel to Havana, Cuba is just phenomenal," one man said.

"Just to see a place that many Americans haven't been able to see in 60 years," said another man.

For Still, who was born in Cuba, this is a moment she never thought she'd see.

"I'm excited as a human being to be able to see these changes, to experience this new open door for Cuba," she said.

Now she hopes she's able to show more people her home country.

Currently, only charter flights can fly into Cuba. Adding commercial flights could bring five times more people to the island.

U.S. citizens traveling to Cuba must still qualify under travel categories authorized by the U.S.